Epilogue

A Y E S H A :-

TWO YEARS LATER,

Istanbul, Turkey*

July, 2018.

What is a perfect morning for you? Sounds of birds chirping happily sitting on a branch of tree near your window? Or the perfect morning rays passing through the sheer curtains, falling on your face with a cold breeze which makes the loose strands of your hair tinkle softly on your face? And being the main character, you wake up with a radiant glow and smile on your face, stretching with a cute yawn you say, "What a beautiful day." Well for me that was a perfect morning.

Instead my morning now is even more perfect than that, seeing my husband asleep beside me with our son, Ahad, laying on his chest, his little fingers wrapped around the collar of his Baba's shirt as he snored peacefully in his arms,

I prop my elbow up and stare at the two most important persons of my life.

I reach forward and caress Ahad's small hands which were wrapped tightly against Farhan's t-shirt, as if he couldn't even let of his baba's touch even in his sleep.

When he was born, I knew I was going to spoil my little boy with so much love, but this little guy being the first born on the both the sides, became so spoiled with love from both of his grandparents, to his phupho, and his mamu and mami.

And his baba? He wouldn't even let him separate himself from Ahad even for a second. He now calls from his office nearly five times to check on ahad.

Being a light sleeper—now more than ever since Ahad gets up more than once in night— Farhan cracks open his eyes feeling my fingers moving away the strands of his hair from his forehead.

He gives me lazy smile and I reach forward to plant a kiss on his forehead and then at our son's.

"Good morning." I whisper, not wanting to wake Ahad up.

"Morning." Farhan replies in his raspy morning voice which does things to me in eight in the morning.

We both glanced down when Ahad shifted on his chest and Farhan chuckles caressing his back.

"Can't believe this little guy turns one today." Farhan says looking at his sleepy smile.

"Me too." I whisper looking at my son in fascination.

As if on cue, he cracks open his eyes and slowly lifts up his little head, he looks up at Farhan and gives a toothless smile, making both us chuckle in aw of him.

Ahad is literally the calmest baby ever, he cries only when something is wrong or if something is really hurting him, his paediatrician said he had a high pain tolerance, and when he cries we get concerned.

Till now he has never troubled us with his nap times, talking to other parents I realised how lucky we are, he doesn't even cries when he's hungry, I always keep his feeding schedule on time and make sure I am not keeping my baby hungry.

Farhan says he has my nature, and so does everyone. Ahad at such a little age had a striking resemblance to Farhan, except he got my eye shape and colour, nonetheless, sometimes even I get fascinated.

"Happy birthday to my little boy." I say pressing a kiss on his cheek, "Mama loves you so much."

He gurgles a little laugh as I forward my hands, and he raised his hands to me.

Sitting up straighter, I pick him up from Farhan's chest and bring him on my lap, where he immediately starts giggling and starts playing with my hairs.

Beside me Farhan sits up and looks us both with a smile on his face. He moves forward and plants a kiss on Ahad's head. "Happy birthday to my precious little guy."

Ahad starts giggling and raises his arms towards his baba, who gladly takes him in his arms and starts tickling his belly.

World's most beautiful sound resonates in our room when Ahad starts giggling uncontrollably as his baba starts blowing raspberries on his neck and stomach.

Making a silent prayer to protect them from evil eye, I get up from the bed and frown looking at the empty crib which had the same arrangement of pillows like I did last night before sleeping.

"Did you took him out of his crib and made him sleep on your chest again?" I ask folding my fists on my hips.

Farhan stops tickling Ahad and looks at me, as if understanding baba's in trouble, Ahad stops giggling and both of them give me the same expression.

"He was looking at me with those come pick me baba eyes, I couldn't resist." Farhan all but whines.

I shake my head and take Ahad from his arms to take off his sleeping sack.

"He needs to be trained for independent training." I say, "You are already one young man, you need to start sleeping alone." I say to my son, who gives the innocent stare.

"What if he has separation anxiety?" Farhan worries, "I don't want my son to worry about it."

I visibly soften hearing his concern tone, "No Farhan, he does not have a separation anxiety, remember when we left him with Murat and Safa when he had to go on one of your client's dinner? We rushed so much to come back to him, only to see him happily playing with Murat."

Farhan nods, "True. You are right, maybe I am becoming the concerning dad too much. Instead..." A grin forms on his lips, he grabs my hand and tugs me on his lap, I gasp as he whispers in my ear, "I should be the hot dad."

"Our son is literally in front of us." I smack his shoulder, "Don't traumatise him."

I get up from his hold and walk towards the dresser to tie my hair up in a bun. He walks up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, "We could always send him down and have a little time to ourselves." He says peppering kisses along the column of neck, his deft fingers reach up to move the neckline of my nightgown aside, and I lull my head back, melting in his intoxicating touch.

I almost gave into his temptation when a troubled cry break our moment of heat.

I look behind us to see Ahad kicking up his feet, baby boy is hungry.

"Breakfast time." I say in a shrill voice before moving away from Farhan.

He tries to grab me back but I chuckle moving away from his hold, "Go get ready, we have a long day ahead."

We were back in Istanbul for Ahad's first birthday celebration with both of his grandparents, Murat and Safa, and Mina. We had none of our friends available for today's event as some of where travelling or had other work commitment issues. Except Sakina, who shifted to Istanbul last year.

He groans in defeat and stomps towards the washroom like a little kid, meanwhile I fed Ahad and put him on his first nap after burping him. He usually does that, normally this time Farhan leaves for office and somehow ahad always gets up with him and after being fed he goes back to sleep.

I place him on his crib and smile looking at his dazed milk drunk state.

I reach down to caress his face and sigh looking at him. Time is running, it feels like yesterday when I told Farhan I am pregnant in our balcony, and just like that my baby boy completed his first milestone. As much as Farhan wants him to sleep with him, I want too but I also remember we are raising a human together, and we need to teach him something's which might seem difficult at first but it's just the initial steps of growing up.

Now I understand why my mother used to cry seeing mine and Murat's childhood pictures, because this time won't come back, my little baby will start growing and in future he would want to build his own life, maybe away from us. And I am not ready to even think about it, that's why I soak in all the moments with little boy.

I always used to tease my mom how she loves Murat more, but now I understand, there is something so special about your first child that nothing could be compared. The first feelings, the fears, the nervousness, the excitement, for the first time, you can't experience that for your next pregnancies. The love of a mother will always be equal with no comparisons, but there is just so special about your firstborn.

I turn back hearing the bathroom door opening, and Farhan steps out wearing grey sweatpants, his upper body bare in perfection except for the towel hanging around his neck, from which he was drying his hairs,

He raises an eyebrow looking at me hovering around the crib, "Emotional mama?"

"A bit." I reply blinking back my tears.

He removes the towel around his neck and threw it on the dresser's chair, he widens his arms and beckons me, "Come here."

I jog towards him and immediately wrap my arms around the taut muscles of his back. He wraps his around my waist and brings me closer.

"I don't want him to grow up." I whisper.

"But he will won't he?" Farhan says, "As much we don't accept, time is a thief."

"It is." I reply, "But let's not mop on it today?" I say brightly, "It's our son's first birthday. Technically ours too."

Farhan chuckles, giving my forehead a kiss. "True, happy birthday to Ahad's beautiful and hot mama."

My cheeks flame before I say, "Happy birthday to Ahad's handsome and tiny bit hot baba."

He raises his eyebrows and I laugh, "Tiny?" He gestures to his delicious muscles which were still glistening with glimpses of water, "Seriously?"

I walk in the wardrobe and grab my outfit and towels and walked towards my husband who stood on the same spot.

I stood on my tip toes and barely brush my lips against his ear, "Seriously."

And I ran in the bathroom ignoring his protests to fight on the war grounds.

*****

I lean against the doorframe, a smile forms on my lips when I see my husband with our son, who were standing in Fahad bhai's room.

Farhan points to a photo frame, "You see him Ahad? He was a hero." He points at fahad bhai in a photo with him and Mina, "We may not see him anymore, but we will definitely walk on the path he always wished for." His voice grows thick with emotions,

It's been now seven years since Fahad bhai's death and two years since he was declared innocent in front of the world.

There were days when Farhan really missed his brother, he had a breakdown on his seventh death anniversary, I stood by him, knowing it's part of his grief which will always be there. There are also days where he remembers his brother passionately, talks about fights, jokes and childhood incidents.

And there were few days he wanted to be alone, the weight of previous walls weighed heavy on him that sometimes he couldn't stop it, after six months of therapy, Farhan felt easy after that, he now also goes to pray to the masjid without fail and that makes me so happy, sometimes we pray together and that's my favourite memories.

During these two years, there were many news channels and media who tried to interact us, especially Farhan, but he attended only one interview with the channel whose previous host was heer.

It was his type of slap to them.

And talking about Heer, last year she came by and apologised to us, she was in a horrible state, her mother is a different story, she tortured everyone so much that her elder daughter, Fanaa baji lives in Ankara, Heer shifted to Amsterdam to start a new life and continue her career as a journalist over there, Haroon left for Australia for his higher studies after living in a hostel for his high school years, if that doesn't explains the negativity of the woman, then I don't know what does. Now she lives alone in her expensive villa with a sick husband and no one to care of.

Mina points at another frame who stood next to Farhan, "And look at your donkey dad Ahad."

"Hey," Farhan frowns, "Don't say bad about his baba."

Ahad giggles, his binky falling down from his mouth.

Farhan gasps feign shock, "Seriously Ahad? I am your best friend."

Mina chuckles, "He agrees on you being a donkey though. And he is my best friend, right ahad?" She brings her arms forward and Ahad wiggles out of Farhan's hold to her,

That's the thing about Ahad, he is such a friendly baby, you make a face in front of him, he would laugh his heart out, and he gave many woman baby fever.

I step inside and Mina turns towards me with a smile, "Look at you," she whistles, "You beautiful woman."

I chuckle adjusting my black saree, which by the years I have mastered wearing it, because I love it and Farhan loves it too.

"Shut up mina." I chuckle walking towards her, and adjusts the little bow tie on Ahad's shirt.

Mama calls Mina down so Mina gives ahad back to Farhan, before giving a smile and exits the room.

I look after she left, the dark circles under her eyes and her sunken cheek bones always breaks my heart.

"Any updates on her?" I ask Farhan who shakes his head, his jaw tight in tension.

"Nothing." He replies gruffly, "I am working on it, and when I do.." the threat lies heavy on his tone.

"Okay leave all of that." I say distracting him from any bad mood, "Today we have a really special day ahead, let's not ruin it?"

He nods and looks at Ahad in his arms, who was looking at the frames hanging on the wall with fascination.

Reaching forward, he taps his hand on one of the frame and I chuckle, "That's your baba, Ahad."

It was Farhan's baby photo, Bi jaan holded him in his arms, with one of her rare smiles.

Farhan smiles softly, "I miss her."

I swallow the lump in my throat, "I miss her too."

Two months after Ahad was born, bi jaan visited Istanbul and met her great-grand child, but a week later, she passed away in her sleep.

It was really heartbreaking, I was scared of her but I loved her nonetheless, her life was an inspiration to us, her death really sadden us but as they say life goes on, we cry, we remember them, then we also start to smile and move on, that's life.

"Don't cry," Farhan says softly as I wipe the corner of my eye, "Remember what she said?"

I chuckle nodding, classic bi jaan didn't even left to leave her wise words behind.

'Don't you all dare to cry when I die, I am done here. Leave me alone, I am going to meet my husband.'

Farhan chuckles and sighs when I grab his arm, "Circle of life huh?"

I look at the all the photo frames hanging on the wall, two years ago mina and Farhan opened this room, and after that so one gets emotional, Mina hung up all the photos here and didn't touched any of the items of Fahad bhai, in a way we could remember him and all the happy memories of him and us.

One picture catches my eye, a picture of me and Farhan on my graduation day. I was wearing my graduation gown and cap and was talking to Farhan about something and he was looking down at me like I was his world. Also over here I was one month pregnant with Ahad and I wasn't aware, that makes this picture even more special.

"I can't wait for Ahad growing up here." Farhan says looking at Ahad who looked at the frames, "In the house in which I grew up."

"I can't wait too." I reply leaning on his shoulder,

After winning the case, Farhan and I collectively decided to shift to Istanbul. It would take him nearly two to three years to shift his entire business here and in the mean time I could complete my internship for pharmacy technician.

It had been my dream to live in Istanbul some day, and when I was getting a chance so why not? Besides I could visit my parents in Ankara on weekends. And I already had one of my best friend in Istanbul.

"Let's go everyone must be waiting for the birthday boy." Farhan says hearing the buzz of people in the backyard.

I nod and turn around to walk when I felt Farhan pull me back, "You look really beautiful." He whispers giving a kiss on my cheek.

"Thank you, you cleaned up pretty well." I say pointing at his tailored pants and crisp white shirt which cling to his muscular body like a second skin.

"Don't make me blush now." Farhan mocks as we walk out of the room,

His phone rings in his pocket and we stop near the stairs, fishing his phone out and shows me the screen, Bilal.

I gesture him to pick it up and before any formalities could be exchanged, Bilal bhai says in an excited voice, "It's a girl!"

I laugh and so does Farhan, "Congratulations Bilal."

"So happy to hear it Bilal bhai! How is Hajra?" I ask excitedly.

"Hajra is fine and healthy Alhumdulliah. The mother and daughter both are doing well." Bilal bhai says in a content and excited voice.

Bilal bhai and Hajra along with their son daniyal where supposed to fly to Istanbul for Ahad's birthday but day before yesterday Bilal bhai called in to say they couldn't attend because Hajra went in an early labour, and after two days of labour pain, they were blessed with a girl.

"The celebration is due," Farhan says as we step down the stairs, "We will celebrate it together Inshallah."

"Definitely brother, definitely. Also Hajra says she's sending lot's of love to Ahad, and we will compensate for his birthday for the next time we meet." Bilal bhai says.

"We will, but right now soak in all that new born phase, celebrations can go on." I say and he agrees, after few small talks he hung up.

We reach the backyard and I look around the garden, admiring the lion king themed party which Mina organised.

We were immediately gathered by Ahad's grand parents who took him from our arms and showered him with lots of kisses and prayers.

Even my father who I never thought would ever play with little duckies, he does now with Ahad.

There were only few of our people present here, so we also invited our neighbours and few of trusted Farhan's clients, Mahib khan and Eman abru, who seemed like a tough woman but is really kind hearted when I talked to her.

People kept filling in, and presents kept piling up on the table much to Ahad's delight. And him being the little charmer, giggled with everyone and he seemed to really enjoy the bouncy castle with his lovely phupho, along with Safa and Sakina who for some reason was really enjoying a kids party.

Me and Farhan were discussing about the cake cutting, when I pause looking at the person walking through the backyard door,

"Hasnain?" Farhan smiles as he approaches us with a large neatly packed gift in his hands.

Farhan gives him a hug and he gives me a nod, and I return a smile.

He keeps his gift on the table, "Thank you Hasnain, you didn't have to."

He shakes his head, "It's alright. It's for the little guy anyway."

There were few of instances when Hasnain joked, other than his tough demeanour. After completing his masters, he is now doing a phd in applied physics. This man has an IQ of 160. Silent yet smart. Most powerful traits.

Farhan directs him to the party where he stands besides Murat, and my brother being an easy party goer engages him in an conversation.

Seeing Hasnain alone, really makes me miss the other half who used to be with him.

"Only Yousuf is missing." Farhan sighs, I give his hand a squeeze.

Two years ago after our conversation at Bilal and Hajra's house, we heard nothing from Yousuf. It's like he disappeared from the face of earth. Farhan and Bilal bhai made some calls and dig up few information only to know he already left for uk. Why he hadn't contacted us or told us about his leave, is beyond our imagination and it left all of us heartbroken, especially Farhan, whom he considered as a small brother.

"I wish he is happy wherever he is." I say softly remembering that lovely boy.

"I do too." Farhan sighs.

Mina claps and gathers everyone's attention, "Gather in everyone, it's cake cutting time."

Ahad who was in baba jaan's arms, wiggles out of his hold seeing Farhan and me, Farhan chuckles bringing him in his arms and we stand at the centre as Mina brings in the large three tier cake with Ahad's name on it,

My parents, Murat and Safa along with Sakina stood by my side, while mama, baba jaan and Mina with her trusted camera on Farhan's side.

Murat lights up the sparkly candle and Ahad coils back clutching Farhan's collar, Farhan chuckles and rub his back until the spark slows down and I grab the knife bringing it closer to cake and Farhan brings ahad closer as we cut the cake and everyone claps singing a happy birthday song for Ahad.

And my baby being the charmer never once cried when everyone sang for him or fed him some cake.

I watch around me, my parents laughing happily and feeding the cake to Ahad, mama and baba jaan standing beside them, clapping their hands, making Ahad giggle uncontrollably.

Mina kept clicking pictures of them, making memories.

I smile and lean against my husband's side as he throws his hand behind my shoulder, bringing me closer to him,

As we stand there looking at our friends and family, celebrating with us, being happy with us, I realise there is nothing in this world I would trade it for.

I always thought if happy endings really existed? The answer is no.

Happy beginnings existed, not endings.

Because looking around me I can only see happy beginnings around us, no endings.

Farhan squeezes my arm and I look up at him, his hazel eyes sparkling with love as he says, "I love you."

I smile leaning against him, "I love you too."

And destiny? It's the most vicious and beautiful thing, it could destroy people, it could bring people closer, you just need to trust the play of it,

Until you can say that you Met by destiny.

THE END.

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A/N:-

And just like that, we reached a beautiful ending.

What a journey you all! Thank you so much to everyone who always supported me in my journey and was always patient with my irregular updates.💕

Thank you everyone for making my first ever book a memorable journey to learn, cherish and remember for life.

An author's note coming up soon. Until then, take care you cuties and beauties.

Ayesha and Farhan's journey comes to an end here, but as Shahrukh khan once quoted,

"Picture toh abhi baki mai mere dost."

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